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Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Having a Problem with Steam Look Here

First easy fix For most problems :

Certain Steam issues may be corrected by renaming the ClientRegistry.blob and restarting Steam.
Completely exit from the Steam client.
Go to C:\Program Files\Steam (or the Steam directory that was specified during installation).
Locate ClientRegistry.blob and rename this file to ClientRegistryOld.blob.
Restart Steam to allow the file to be recreated.

This fixes most common problems like crashes and errors with the steam client

Steam Servers are Busy

Change Downloading Region:

On Windows

Start Steam
Go to Steam > Settings > Downloads tab
Under Download region, select a different but relatively close region.
Try launching or installing the game once more

On Mac

Start Steam
Click on Steam > Preferences > Downloads tab
Under Download region, select a different but relatively close region.
Try launching or installing the game once more

Other Possible Fix

On Windows

If the issue is isolated to a few Steam games, please exit from Steam and go to the Steamapps folder (default is C:\Program Files\Steam\Steamapps) and delete any listed .ncf files for the specific games. Once complete, please restart Steam to test the issue.

On Mac

If the issue is isolated to a few Steam games, please exit from Steam and go to the ~/Users/[username]/Library/Application Support/Steam/SteamApps and delete any listed .ncf files for the specific games. Once complete, please restart Steam to test the issue.

Missing essential Files or corrupted files :

Step one Verify Game cache (PC and Mac)

How to :

-Load Steam
-From the My Games tab, right-click on FM2011 and select Properties from the menu.
-Select the Local files tab and click the Verify integrity of game cache... button.
-Steam will verify the game cache files (GCF's) - this process may take several minutes.
-Once the process is completed, the Check Window will automatically exit.

If the issue persists, exit Steam, rename your ClientRegistry.blob, and restart Steam. The ClientRegistry.blob can be found in your Steam installation directory. c:\program files\steam by default.

Third

If the issue still persists, you may have issues with your local Steam files. You may refresh these files without deleting your game files. Please follow this process to refresh your Steam files:
1-Exit Steam
2-Navigate to your Steam installation directory. (c:\program files\steam\ by default.)
3-Delete everything in that directory EXCEPT the following:
steam.exe
steamapps directory (All of Steam's game files are kept here.)
4-Restart Steam

If you are installing Steam for the first time or if there has been a recent Steam update, a firewall may be preventing Steam from connecting to the Steam Network.

Please remember to update your firewall permission settings for Steam with every Steam update and for Steam games every time a game update is released. Steam updates and game updates are announced on the Steam News page.

2-If the issue disappears after bypassing your router, (instructions how to do this will be given further down this topic )

Note: running your router in DMZ mode is not supported by Steam and may result in connection issues.

3-To ensure reliability, make sure you are using a wired connection to the internet. Close the Steam client application and remove all instances of the following executables from your firewall's permissions list:

steaminstall.exe
steam.exe
hl.exe
hl2.exe
steamTmp.exe

Permissions for these executables will need to be re-learned by your firewall.

4-Open Steam to allow your firewall to re-learn permissions for the Steam executables. If your firewall does not prompt you to set new permissions, the security settings may be too strict - you will need to change these settings so you will be prompted to set permissions.

Give the Steam executables permission for all TCP and UDP ports when prompted.

Restart your computer and load Steam.

Firewall Provider Resources

If you are using a firewall program listed above and have questions about setting permissions, please take the opportunity to open the program and use its Help feature or review the support site for the software:
Microsoft : http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...2_wfintro.mspx

nVidia - nVidia's Network Access Manager is bundled with some nVidia products. Unfortunately, this product is not compatible with Steam

The only solution is removing it in the Windows Add/Remove panel. After it has been removed and you have rebooted

If allowing permissions does not seem to affect the connection to Steam, please try disabling your firewall completely before launching Steam

Using a Router with Steam

Important:

Steam does not support gameplay on machines operating in a network DMZ. You must remove your machine from the DMZ in order to play through Steam.

If you are using a wireless connection to access Steam, you may encounter intermittent connection issues related to low signal strength - it is recommended that plug your machine directly into your router to ensure the highest level of connectivity.

Basic Router Troubleshooting

To determine if your router may be causing issues with connectivity, please observe the following troubleshooting steps:
Close the Steam client application
Bypass your router by plugging your machine directly into the incoming line from your modem
Restart Steam

If you are able to connect to Steam after bypassing your router, it is highly recommended that you reconfigure your router to work with Steam.

Stateful inspection or dynamic packet filtering may cause issues with Steam. If you have identified the router as the cause of your issue, disable these services.

Find Instructions to Configure your Router

If you do not have the original instruction manual for working with your router, please check your router for the manufacturer or brand name and the router's model number. You will need to run a search for your router manufacturer's website to find instructions for configuring your router to work with Steam.

PortForward.com is also a useful resource for router-specific instructions (please note that the information provided at PortForward.com may not reflect recent additions to the required ports for Steam).

If you have never played the game before on your system, it is crucial to double-check the system requirements to determine if your system can run the game. The minimum system requirements for each game can be found on the game's page in the Steam Storefront.

2-Verify Your Game Cache Files

Do not run this process while performing other system-intensive processes, such as defragmenting your hard drive or scanning for viruses.

Do not run this process for multiple games at the same time.

If you have problems with missing models, video artifacts (purple and black checkerboards) or unexpected crashes during single-player games and missions, please follow the steps below to use Steam's Verify integrity of game cache... feature to identify and replace corrupted Steam cache files.

1-Load Steam
2-From the My Games tab, right-click on the game and select Properties from the menu.
3-Select the Local files tab and click the Verify integrity of game cache... button.
4-Steam will verify the game cache files (GCF's) - this process may take several minutes.
5-Once the process is completed, the Check Window will automatically exit.

If you have installed a PCI or USB sound card on your system (such as a Creative X-fi or Audigy sound card), please ensure that your motherboard's onboard sound card is disabled in the system BIOS. Having both installed may result in system instability - even if the secondary device is disabled in the Windows device manager. Please consult your motherboard's manual for instructions on editing BIOS settings.

Install BIOS, Driver, and Windows/DirectX Updates

After each of the steps below:

Try launching the game to test - if you continue to experience crashes, proceed to the next set of troubleshooting recommendations.

1-Update Windows

Run Windows Update. It is imperative that your system is updated to the latest service pack and has all critical updates installed. It is also highly recommended that you install the latest version of the .NET framework.

2-Update DirectX

Download and install the latest version of DirectX from the Microsoft DirectX Download Page. DirectX is updated about once a month by Microsoft and should be checked for new versions (known as "Runtimes") on a regular basis.

Remember to remove outdated drivers before updating and check for any known software or driver conflicts which may occur with the updated drivers. We do not recommend running beta or custom drivers (such as Omega drivers) unless they solve a very specific issue for a game you are playing.

Editing the system BIOS and motherboard settings improperly can result in system failure. Be sure to read your motherboard's manual thoroughly before attempting to flash your BIOS or update your motherboard's chipset drivers.

If you are not comfortable in performing the steps indicated by your motherboard's manual, please contact your motherboard manufacturer or system assembler for assistance.

It is important to keep the components on your motherboard in good working order, not just for playing games but for general system performance. The best way to accomplish this is to keep your motherboard's BIOS and chipset drivers up to date.

Many motherboard manufacturers release updates that resolve crucial issues related to system crashes and/or slow performance. This guide is intended to assist you in locating BIOS updates and chipset drivers to ensure that your system is in top working order.

Update (Flash) Your BIOS

The primary function of your system's BIOS is to recognize and initiate all of your system's hardware so it is ready to be used. "Flashing" the BIOS is synonymous with updating the motherboard's BIOS to the latest version. The often times requires a floppy drive to be installed on the system.

Please visit your motherboard manufacturer's website for instructions on how to check your BIOS version and for tools you can use to safely update your BIOS.

Update Your Chipset Drivers

Chipset drivers are responsible for controlling communication between various components in your system: the processor, the video card, the hard drives, PCI devices and system memory. Keeping these drivers up to date is important - especially if you are experiencing generally sluggish system performance.

Please visit your motherboard manufacturer's website to determine what type of chipset your motherboard has and where you can find the most recent drivers for it.

nForce Motherboards

Many motherboards use the Nvidia nForce platform for the chipset. Drivers are available directly from Nvidia, under nForce drivers:

While installing these drivers, you may be prompted to install the Nvidia Network Access Manager. We do not recommend installing that component because the Nvidia Network Access Manager has been known to cause issues with Steam.

If the issue persists, please download and run the Memtest86 RAM test program and run it to determine whether or not the issue may be caused by a faulty RAM stick.

RAM sticks which fail this test must be replaced.

Contact Steam Support

If the crash continues even after performing all of the troubleshooting steps in this guide, you will need to contact Steam Support for further assistance. To ensure that your incident is handled in the quickest and most efficient manner possible, please follow these steps:
Prepare a MSINFO32 Report

1-Go to the Start button
2-Select Run...
3-Type msinfo32 and click OK
4-While viewing the System Summary node go to File then Save
Save your MSINFO32 report as msinfo32.nfo on your desktop for easy access (you may delete the file once you have attached it to support case and submitted the case)

Submit Your Support Request

See the Contacting Steam Billing and Support to submit your request. Please include your MSINFO32 report as an attachment to the incident.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Aim less, I have installed the game and am playing by having the disc in the drive. When the game unlocks on Steam I want to verify or add my game on there so I don't have to have the disc in the drive anymore. Can you tell me how to do that please?

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

You have a retail copy of fm and don't want to use the dvd again? simple

1-first keep your dvd in the drive ( you need to do this once )
2-open Steam
3-Go to My games and on the button its an option called activate product on steam (lower left of the games menu )
4-Follow the instructions
5-Your game is now activated Steam now you wont need to use the dvd again

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Originally Posted by Aim_Less

You have a retail copy of fm and don't want to use the dvd again? simple

1-first keep your dvd in the drive ( you need to do this once )
2-open Steam
3-Go to My games and on the button its an option called activate product on steam (lower left of the games menu )
4-Follow the instructions
5-Your game is now activated Steam now you wont need to use the dvd again

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Aim Less, I have followed your instructions, selected the option to activate the game on steam. I entered the code on the manual and it accepted it. However it is now telling me I need to install the game. I don't need to install the game though as I already installed it via the disc. What do I have to do now as Steam is showing the game as 'Not Installed' in my game menu. Thanks.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

How can I activate my game through Steam so I don't have to play it while Steam is running? I did this with FM09 but can't remember how I did it, and I have received no activation code despite pre-ordering from Steam and now downloading and installing FM10.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Originally Posted by Jorge Campos

How can I activate my game through Steam so I don't have to play it while Steam is running? I did this with FM09 but can't remember how I did it, and I have received no activation code despite pre-ordering from Steam and now downloading and installing FM10.

Save a shortcut to your desktop (drag and drop or rightclick on Steam version).

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

i pre-loaded via steam, activated as soon as it was released but when i try to launch it i get an error message saying "football manager 2010 10.1.0f84847 has stopped working" PLEASE HELP, GETTING TEMPTED TO D/L IT ILLEGALLY!!

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

@tribe162,stornyboy80,Henry_14

1-Load Steam
2-From the My Games tab, right-click on the game and select Properties from the menu.
3-Select the Local files tab and click the Verify integrity of game cache... button.
4-Steam will verify the game cache files (GCF's) - this process may take several minutes.
5-Once the process is completed, the Check Window will automatically exit.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Got a bit of a problem with my Steam download. When I double click to start, it pops up with the 'preparing to launch' box, which just disappears after a second or so, with nothing happening. Tried changing the blob file as advised at the very start. Any ideas?

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Originally Posted by Aim_Less

@tribe162,stornyboy80,Henry_14

1-Load Steam
2-From the My Games tab, right-click on the game and select Properties from the menu.
3-Select the Local files tab and click the Verify integrity of game cache... button.
4-Steam will verify the game cache files (GCF's) - this process may take several minutes.
5-Once the process is completed, the Check Window will automatically exit.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Originally Posted by Aim_Less

@tribe162,stornyboy80,Henry_14

1-Load Steam
2-From the My Games tab, right-click on the game and select Properties from the menu.
3-Select the Local files tab and click the Verify integrity of game cache... button.
4-Steam will verify the game cache files (GCF's) - this process may take several minutes.
5-Once the process is completed, the Check Window will automatically exit.

and Henry_14 dont be stupid be patient

that still doesn't work. i followed your guidelines and verified integ of game cache but same error message flashing up

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Originally Posted by Henry_14

I'll give it a go, i hope you're not just trying to buy yourself a couple of hours though...

Hasn't worked. I am an avid 3d gamer and fairly pc savy. My drivers are all up to date. I'm even running Vista SP2. Tried to run game in admin mode. Nothing works. The fact that this problem is happening with people that bought the dvd and activated through steam rules out file corruption during download. The fact that the error message is the same for everybody points in other direction too. So deleting files will be a waste of time and bandwidth. What else do we have left?

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Originally Posted by Schwarz

Hasn't worked. I am an avid 3d gamer and fairly pc savy. My drivers are all up to date. I'm even running Vista SP2. Tried to run game in admin mode. Nothing works. The fact that this problem is happening with people that bought the dvd and activated through steam rules out file corruption during download. The fact that the error message is the same for everybody points in other direction too. So deleting files will be a waste of time and bandwidth. What else do we have left?

when someone who installed via disk got the same error message i decided not to reinstall as that couldnt be the problem.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Originally Posted by Aim_Less

i am out of ideas guys :/

you need SI on this one

Why can't I run DXSETUP that came with FM2010, yet i can run DXSETUP that came with FM2009? What is different between the two files?
I believe the so called "first time setup" may be somehow responsible.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Does this not seem totally ridiculous? I have never had a problem installing any software, other than the two occasions that I have used Steam for Football Manager. Had Henry_14's problem and am attempting a reinstall.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

I bought the game from Steam, pre loaded it (I didn't download the demo beforehand) and started getting the same "football manager 2010 10.1.0f84847 has stopped working" message as soon as I tried to launch the game. Since then I have tried "Delete local content" on Steam and reinstalled the game, I have tried "verify integrity of game cache" and I have tried updating Direct X and I am still getting the same error message!

Last year I was very annoyed that I was unable to play the game on the day it was issued because of issues with Steam, this year though I am more calm about it because, to be honest, I was expecting it.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

I'm getting a problem through Steam when it trys to install. It says it can't run DirectXC on 1 64-bit version of Windows, and when I try to run the fm10.exe it says the same. I'm on Windows 7. How do you get a refund from Steam? just going to go to the damn shop and buy a copy.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Originally Posted by FM andy

I have not got the game yet and was going to install through steam,I am not sure now though reading all the problems

Not particularly helpful I know, but I have to admit to a certain amount of schadenfreude, as I had absolutely no problems last year with the unilock system and was very disappointed that this option was removed this year.

Basically I object to having to install more software if I want to play a game without having the disc in the drive (excluding digital downloads of course) and even worse it seems that this software has to be running in the background if you want to play the game.

This just means for me that when the disc arrives I will go back to the old way of disc in drive when playing, which might possibly mean that I play the game less and therefore lose interest.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Originally Posted by edwingray

Not particularly helpful I know, but I have to admit to a certain amount of schadenfreude, as I had absolutely no problems last year with the unilock system and was very disappointed that this option was removed this year.

Basically I object to having to install more software if I want to play a game without having the disc in the drive (excluding digital downloads of course) and even worse it seems that this software has to be running in the background if you want to play the game.

This just means for me that when the disc arrives I will go back to the old way of disc in drive when playing, which might possibly mean that I play the game less and therefore lose interest.

I had FM 2009 last year and played through steam as well and Uniloc gave me endless problems if i am honest,There was about 30 error messages for one code and would much rather use Steams own unlocker than Uniloc,It is no that bothers me it is the FM 10 message and noone knows how to solve it as of yet so i could buy the game and then not be able to play it for a few days which seems pointless tbh

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Originally Posted by edwingray

Not particularly helpful I know, but I have to admit to a certain amount of schadenfreude, as I had absolutely no problems last year with the unilock system and was very disappointed that this option was removed this year.

Basically I object to having to install more software if I want to play a game without having the disc in the drive (excluding digital downloads of course) and even worse it seems that this software has to be running in the background if you want to play the game.

This just means for me that when the disc arrives I will go back to the old way of disc in drive when playing, which might possibly mean that I play the game less and therefore lose interest.

Originally Posted by anth2010

Think I solved my earlier problem with the blob rename thing, but now it simply says "game not available, please try another time"!!!

It will work,I had that problem with the demo the other day just give it a while

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

I have two odd Steam problems:-

1. Every time I launch the game, it goes to the 'Installing DirectX' screen.
2. I'm showing version 10.0.0 when it's my understanding that the patch should have been applied and I ought to be on 10.1.0.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Hi guys

Im getting the same 10.1.0f84847 error message as per earlier posts. I've tried the directx setup and dotnet that Aim Less quotes earlier in the thread but with no joy. As this seems to have gone quiet has someone found a solution to this problem?

I'm tempted to reinstall but worries this may cause probs and notice that it didnt work for others.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Originally Posted by jpblue

Hi guys

Im getting the same 10.1.0f84847 error message as per earlier posts. I've tried the directx setup and dotnet that Aim Less quotes earlier in the thread but with no joy. As this seems to have gone quiet has someone found a solution to this problem?

I'm tempted to reinstall but worries this may cause probs and notice that it didnt work for others.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Originally Posted by stornyboy80

what does this mean?

football manager 2010 10.1.0f84847 has stopped working

it won't even load

to all the guys with this problem, make sure your directx is up to date. i thought mine was and as a long shot i clicked on the link on the faq and downloaded the updates just in case and it actually worked.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

After spending my USD 40,00, downloaded the game via steam (never used this service before) only to see a nice icon in my screen that doesn´t respond to anything. I click on it, a little box appears and says that it´s preparing to launch FM2010, and that´s it. The little box closes, and nothing happens after that.

Sorry to disturb you guys with this, but I waited for a couple of hours to download and now I´m trying to rename/ uninstall a lot of programs, without any sucess at all.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Just to say a big thanks for all the guys in this page. After some frustrating attempts, just took this steps and it´s working (at least I saw the start page, didn´t try to play it because wanted to post this first).

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

im having troubles aswell....i go to launch FM and a little window pops up to tell me steam needs to be updated then behind that there is a message saying steam is up to date.....i dunno what to do HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

Need help, game keeps crashing as match starts to set up and I get the error message ""football manager 2010 10.1.0f84847 has stopped working" and then the game closes.

It only crashes when I try to start to play the match and I have installed the latest directX download, latest java, verified the game cach files, installed the .NET updates and I am using windows 7 so there is no compatible driver updates that I can install.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

If the issue persists, exit Steam, rename your ClientRegistry.blob, and restart Steam. The ClientRegistry.blob can be found in your Steam installation directory. c:\program files\steam by default.

Third
If the issue still persists, you may have issues with your local Steam files. You may refresh these files without deleting your game files. Please follow this process to refresh your Steam files:
1-Exit Steam
2-Navigate to your Steam installation directory. (c:\program files\steam\ by default.)
3-Delete everything in that directory EXCEPT the following:
steam.exe
steamapps directory (All of Steam's game files are kept here.)
4-Restart Steam

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

I'm trying to open steam but it's telling me steam is already open when it's not and i can't carry on the installation. I tried to install steam before but if froze so i uninstalled steam and re installed it and now i have this problem.

Re: Steam Problems FAQ and Basic Crash Troubleshooting

If the issue persists, exit Steam, rename your ClientRegistry.blob, and restart Steam. The ClientRegistry.blob can be found in your Steam installation directory. c:\program files\steam by default.

Third
If the issue still persists, you may have issues with your local Steam files. You may refresh these files without deleting your game files. Please follow this process to refresh your Steam files:
1-Exit Steam
2-Navigate to your Steam installation directory. (c:\program files\steam\ by default.)
3-Delete everything in that directory EXCEPT the following:
steam.exe
steamapps directory (All of Steam's game files are kept here.)
4-Restart Steam

wonder why the fack my posts disappear

Well thats just f*cked everything up it seems, its asking me to install and put in some sort of dick that I don't have just now.